Adjustable stilt



Oct. 18, 1966 c. R'. GoDwIN ADJUSTABLE STILT Filed June 4, 1964 United States Patent O 3,278,946 ADJUSTABLE STILT Charles R. Godwin, Indianola, Iowa Filed June 4, 1964, Ser. No. 372,512 9 Claims. (Cl. 3 4) This invention relates to an adjustable stilt and more particularly to an adjustable stilt that may be worn by an individual.

Workmen such as plasterers, brick layers and painters are sometimes required to work at successively different levels, as well as moving laterally. Because the workmen must work at different levels as Well as in lateral directions, it was heretofore necessary for the workmen to erect scaffolding or to use a ladder so that he may reach these work zones just described. The erection of the scaffolding and the ladders required considerable time and effort. Workmen such as painters who are using spray guns cover a great deal of area in a rather short time and actually spend more time erecting scaffolding than they do spraying.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an adjustable stilt whereby a workman may reach different levels without the need for scaffolding or ladders.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt which permits a workman to have a great deal of mobility to move laterally as well as vertically.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt means which is readily attached to the foot and legs of the workmen.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stil-t which is easily controlled by the workmen.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt which may be operated from the same power source as is used in operating a spray gun.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt that permits a workman to easily walk when it is attached to his leg.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt which is of light weight construction.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt which is safe to use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable stilt which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and rened in appearance.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a painter using the stilts on each of his legs.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the device with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the device with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention.

The numeral generally designates a workman having stilts 11 and 11A secured to his legs. Inasmuch as stilts 11 and 11A are identical, only one stilt will be described. The numerals 13 and 15 generally designate ground engaging members in a spaced Vapart relationship. Ground engaging member 13 is comprised of a base portion 17 having an upper surface 19 and lower surface 21. Lower surface 21 is provided with ridges to prevent the slipping thereof. Extending upwardly from upper surface 19 are ear mem-bers 23 and 25 which are in a spaced relationship. Ground engaging member is comprised of -a base portion 27 Ihaving upper surface 2-9 and lower surface 31. Lower surface 31 is provided with ridges to prevent slippage thereof. Extending upwardly from upper surface 29 are spaced apart ear members (not shown) identical to car members 23 and 25.

A supporting plate 37 is secured to ground engaging members 13 and 15 `and extends therebetween and has upper surface 39 and lower surface 41. A pair of spaced apart ear members 43 and 45 extend downwardly from the bottom surface of supporting plate 37 adjacent its rearward end as illustrated in F'IG. 2. A pivot pin 47 slidably extends through ear members 43, 23, and 45 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Similar ear members (not shown) extend downwardly from the lower surface of supporting plate 37 adjacent its forward end as illustrated in FIG. 2. A pivot pin 53 extends through the ear members associated with ground engaging pad 15 and the forward end of supporting plate 37. A spring mem- -ber 57 embraces pivot pin 47 and engages the lower surface 41 of supporting plate 37 and t-he upper surface 19 of ground engaging member 13 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

v A spring member 59 embraces pivot pin 53 and engages the lower surface 41 of supporting plate 37 and the upper surface 29 of ground engaging member 15 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Supporting plate 37 is substantially rectangular in shape and has rod members 61 and 63 extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. A cylinder member 65 slidably extends downwardly over the upper portion of rod member 61 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and has a collar 67 threadably secured -to its lower end. The upper end of rod member 61 is provided with a seal means 69 which engages the interior of cylinder 65. A seal means 71 is provided in collar 67 which engages the outer periphery of rod member 61. A cylinder member 73 extends downwardly over rod 63 and has a collar 75 threadably secured to its lower end. The upper end of rod mem-ber 63 has a seal means thereon which is identical to seal means 69. Collar 75 has a seal means therein which is identical to seal means 71.

A pivot limit plate 77 is secured to the lower ends of collars 67 and 75 and extends therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 3. A pivot rod 79 is secured to collars 67 and 75 and extends therebetween. A foot support 81 comprlsed of base member 83, toe strap and ankle strap 87 is pivotally secured to pivot rod 79 by means of bracket S9 extending around pivot rod 79 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A leg strap 91 is secured to cylinders 65 and 73 adjacent their upper ends as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The upper ends of cylinders 65 and 73 are operatively connected to an air line 93 by means of line members 95 and 97, respectively. Line 93 of stilt 11 would be connected `to line 93A of stilt 11A as illustrated in FIG. 1. A line 99 extends from the juncture of 93 and 93A to a control means 101 which may be secured to the waist of the workman. A line 103 connects control means 101 to an air compressor as shown in FIGURE 1. The air compressor is also connected to a spray gun 105 by means of line 107.

The normal method of operation is as follows. A workman would secure stilts 11 and 11A to his legs by means of toe straps 85, ankle straps 87 and leg straps 91.` Because rod members 61 and 63 extend upwardly and slightly rearwardly as illustrated in FIG. 2, the device is better balanced on the leg of the workman. Foot support 81 being pivotally mounted on pivot pin 79 permits the workman to bend his ankle while walking. Because the workman can bend his ankle, it is substantially easier for him to walk in a more natural manner than would be possible if the ankle were not permitted to bend. It can be appreciated from the drawing that pivot limit plate 77 prevents undue pivoting of foot support 81 with respect to arm members 61 and 63. The forward end of pivot limit plate 77 prevents the forward end of foot support 81 from pivoting excessively downwardly. The rearward end of pivot limit plate 77 prevents the rearward end of foot support 81 from excessively pivoting downwardly.

Spring members 57 and 59 serve to keep ground engaging members 13 and 15 in a substantially horizontal position. If springs 57 and 59 were not present, each time the workman lifted his foot the ground engaging members 13 and 15 would have a tendency to pivot. Springs 57 and 59 yieldably maintain ground engaging members 13 and 15 in a ground engaging position which also will pivot somewhat to compensate for irregularities in the ground surface.

When the workman desires to be raised to a different level, he simply operates control means 101 which will supply air to the top of cylinders 65 and 73. As air is forced into cylinders 65 and 73, the cylinders will be raised with respect to rod members 61 and 63, respectively. Control means 101 is operated until the workman reaches the desired height and then inactivated.

The same source of air that is used to operate a spray` gun may also be used to operate the cylinders as illustrated in FIG. l. The workman may quickly and easily raise or lower himself through control means 101,1and he may walk in any direction while the stilts are in an elevated position. Because line members 95 and 97 are operatively connected to a common source of air, the cylinders 65 and 73 will operate simultaneously and uniformly. This will also be true for the cylinders on stilt 11A. It can therefore be appreciated that stilts 11 and 11A will be raised simultaneously and uniformly as desired by the workman.

Thus, from the foregoing it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my adjustable stilt without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of 'structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable stilt,

a ground engaging member,

first and second spaced apart rod members secured to said ground engaging member and extending upwardly therefrom,

first and second cylinders slidably extending downwardly over said first and second rod members respectively and having upper and lower ends,

a pivot limit plate secured to the lower ends of said first and second cylinders,

a foot support means pivotally secured to the lower ends of sai-d first and second cylinders positioned therebetween above said pivot limit plate,

and means connected to said first and second cylinders to vertically move said foot support means with respect to said ground engaging member and said first and second rod members.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said ground engaging member has a spring member'connectedl thereto to yieldably resist pivotingof said ground engaging member with respect to said first and second rod members.

3. In an adjustable stilt, a pair of ground engaging members,` a supporting plate secured to the upper surface of said ground engaging members,

first and second spaced apart rod members secured to said supporting plate and extending upwardly therefrom,

first and second cylinders slidably extending doiwnwardly over said first and second rod members respectively and having upper and lower ends,

a pivot limit plate secured to the lower ends of said first and second cylinders,

a foot support means pivotally secured to the lower ends of said first and second cylinders positioned therebetween above said pivot limit plate,

and means connected to said first and second cylinders to vertically move said foot support means with respect to said ground engaging members and said first and second rod members.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said ground engagingl members having spring members operatively connected thereto to yieldably resist pivoting of said ground engaging members with respect to said supporting plate.

5. TheA device of claim 3 wherein a control means is operatively connected to said means connecting said first and second cylinders to vertically move said .foot support means.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein each of said ground engaging members is comprised of a base portion having top and bottom surfaces; each of said base portions having a pair of spaced apart ear members extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof; said supporting plate having upper and lower surfaces; said supporting plate having two pairs of spaced apart ear members extending downwardly from its lower surface; a first pivot pin extending through one pair of ear members on one side of said base portions and one pair of ear members on said supporting plate; a second pivot pin extending through the other pair of ear members on the other base portion and the other pair of ear members on said supporting plate.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein a spring memberis embracing each of said first and second pivot pins and engaging the lower surface of said supporting plate and the upper surface of said base portion to yieldably resist pivoting of said ground engaging members with respectto said supporting plate.

8. In a stilt,

a substantially rectangular supporting plate having rearward and fonward ends, top and bottom surfaces,

a first ground engaging member pivotally secured to the bottom surface of sai-d supporting plate adjacent its forward end,

- a second ground engaging member pivotally secured to the bottom surface of said supporting plate adjacent its rearward end,

a first rod member rigidly secured to the top surface of said supporting plate along one side thereof intermediate its length and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom,

a second rod member rigidly secured to the top surface of said supporting plate along its other side thereof intermediate its length vand extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom,

first and second cylinder members slidably embracing the upper portion of said first and second rod members respectively and having upper and lower ends,

a first collar having upper and lower ends being secured by its upper end to the lower end of said first cylinder, Y

a second collar having upper and lower ends being se-` cured by its upper end to the lower end of said sec-1 ond cylinder,

a substantially rectangular pivot limit plate secured to the lower ends of said first and second collars and extending therebetween,

a pivot pin secured to said first and second collars and extending therebetween above said pivot limit plate,`

a foot support pivotally secured to said pivot pin,

said pivot limit plate limiting the pivotal movement of said .foot support,

means for securing said stilt to an individual,

and means operatively connected to said rst and second cylinders to slidably move said rst and second cylinders with respect to said first and second rod members.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said means connected to said first and second cylinders to move said rst and second cylinders with respect to said rst and second rod members includes a control means adapted to be detachably secured to an individual having said stilt secured thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1930 France.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ADJUSTABLE STILT, A GROUND ENGAGING MEMBER, FIRST AND SECOND SPACED APART ROD MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID GROUND ENGAGING MEMBER AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, FIRST AND SECOND CYLINDERS SLIDABLY EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY OVER SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROD MEMBER RESPECTIVELY AND HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ENDS, A PIVOT LIMIT PLATE SECURED TO THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CYLINDERS, 